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Review: Ice Kissed

by Amanda Hocking

Ice Kissed

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review!
Publish Date: 7th May 2015

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‘I looked over at my parents, feeling more lost and confused than I ever had before. “But what if my heart doesn’t know what it wants anymore?”‘ Loc 2672

Title: Ice Kissed
Author: Amanda Hocking
Published by: St Martin’s Press
Book:  #2 of The Kanin Chronicles
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal
Found: Netgalley
Rating: 3 Voodoos

In the majestic halls of a crystal palace lies a secret that could destroy an entire kingdom…

Bryn Aven refuses to give up on her dream of serving the kingdom she loves. It’s a dream that brings her to a whole new realm…and the glittering palace of the Skojare.

The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal enemy that’s been threatening the Kanin, and Bryn is there to help. Being half Skojare herself, it’s also a chance for her to learn more about her lost heritage. Her boss, Ridley Dresden, is overseeing her mission, but as their undeniable attraction heats up, their relationship is about to reach a whole new level—one neither of them is prepared for.

As they delve deeper into the Skojare world, they begin to unravel a long-hidden secret. The dark truth about her own beloved Kanin kingdom is about to come to light, and it will change her place in it forever…and threaten everyone she loves.

-Netgalley

I went straight into Ice Kissed after finishing Frostfire and I would suggest that you shouldn’t read Ice Kissed without having first read Frostfire first as quite a lot of the relationship development and world-building takes place in book one. There is still quite a lot of world-building within Ice Kissed but not as much as in the prior book. For me this was a good thing as I found book one a little tedious and slow. See my full review HERE.

Ice Kissed continues straight on from where we left Bryn in Frostfire. Bryn is still troubled by the disappearance of the Skojare Queen, Linnea, and hates that she and Ridley weren’t able to find her. She is also convinced that Linnea’s disappearance is linked in some way to the mysterious actions of Konstantin and Dalig. When Bryn has a vision of Linnea asking her to come find her, Bryn jumps to action and goes in search of a mythical place where she believes the Queen has taken sanctuary. Once Bryn (and Ridley) find the Queen they are able to reunite her with her husband, but in doing so begin a whole new chain of events. Ice Kissed in mainly set in the sea world environment of Skojare and focuses on the secrets and lies that entangle the Skojare royals with this whole sordid conspiracy.

It’s difficult to explain how I enjoyed this book more than the first book and yet still came to the same rating. I suppose what I liked was that it seemed more focused. It wasn’t jumping around all over the troll empires and so needed less vigorous world building. This in turn meant that the story was able to develop more suspense and gain more momentum keeping me more focused. The romance between Bryn and Ridley took a few huge leaps forward and then quite a few hasty steps back but it was good, and exciting. But this just didn’t out weigh the main issues I had. For me these were that Bryn seemed less likable in this installment, she was irritating and indecisive and with every decision she did make she caused more chaos, and the fact that it’s no more clearer why Konstantin and Dalig are doing what they are doing, is just so infuriating. I have no idea what their objective is, let alone their course of action. Currently I see only chaos and unnecessary deaths.

There are plenty of suspicious characters that have started to surface so it will be interesting to see which of my theories are correct and ultimately, the ending was good. I was a little heartbroken to say the least but only because of the family issues surrounding it.

I had really hoped that things would have become a little clearer after reading this book but really I’m just as confused as I was when I finished Frostfire. Overall this is an ok series so far. I am at least still intrigued enough to want to find out what will happen next, so will probably read book 3. I just hope we start to get some answers soon cos my question sheet is looking pretty looooong.

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2 comments on “Review: Ice Kissed

  1. Ms4Tune

    Hi again Suzi. Thanks for reading my reviews :)

    Yes, the series has some appealing qualities that make me want to continue it and I’m exactly the same, I find it hard to not finish a series especially when I think it has potential to get better, but sometimes you just have to admit that its not for you.

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